LA Angels Thursday News Crash: Grade C

Yahoo Sports graciously gave the Angels a grade of C for the offseason. Seattle got an F. So did the Padres. The PECOTA standings have the Angels beating out the Sacramento As to take fourth place in the AL West. I guess that’s competitive. In case you missed it yesterday, some folks think Taylor Ward is not as pathetically bad as he is sometimes made out to be.

The Angels extended their stadium lease until 2032.

The Twins snapped up Harrison Bader for $6.25 Million plus bonuses and a mutual option for 2026. The City of San Francisco declared yesterday to be Barry Bonds Day. It looks like they wisely omitted having a ritual airing of grievances. It was also National Girls and Women in Sports Day.

The Rangers signed Matt Festa to a minor league contract. The Yankees claimed Owen White off waivers from the Reds. They claimed Braden Shewmake from the Royals. Terrin Vavra got a minor league deal with the Orioles.

Photo credit: Rex Fregosi

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GrandpaBaseball
Legend
1 month ago

The good news is that no expensive over 30-year-old was signed. More good news is that no long-term contracts were signed. And additional good news is we now have the knowledge that we will still enjoy the Big A as our homebase for a few more years. Now if we could only get some snow for some skiing. 😀  🏂 

WallyChuckChili
Legend
1 month ago

Angels signed Yoan Moncado.

Mia
Legend
Mia
1 month ago

Finally making up for the Baldoquin signing over Moncada.

Last edited 1 month ago by Mia
SD19
Trusted Member
1 month ago

Angels have always felt expiration dates are simply a suggestion. I mean at that price for 1 year why not. . He’s 29 on the wrong trajectory but one of these guys is bound to hit at some point right ….

tanana40
Super Member
1 month ago
Reply to  SD19

He did hit it in 2019

Pineapple12
Super Member
1 month ago

Maybe CMo won’t be breaking camp with the big club because ..

Yoan Moncada to Angels. $5M

https://x.com/JonHeyman/status/1887654036893040701?t=I5Z5brGL_TvhQ1TzRwJPHg&s=19

Pineapple12
Super Member
1 month ago
Reply to  Pineapple12

2025:
1B – Schanuel
2B – Rengifo
SS – Neto
3B – Moncada / Rendone

Cowboy26
Legend
1 month ago
Reply to  Pineapple12

Maybe Rendon really is Rendone?

The problem is this dude strikeout aTON and has been injured alot the last few seasons.

Should fit right in.

Pineapple12
Super Member
1 month ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Yep on the Rendone analysis. I almost forgot we have Newman as the utility infielder, sooo…

Surely feels like Perry is getting close to pushing Tony off the plank.

Angelz4ever
Super Member
1 month ago

The first lines of Ippei’s book, The Shoshank Redemption.

“The first time I saw Ippei I liked him,” mused Red Dog Jameson, “However, that didn’t stop me and my boys later from…


Well, you’ll just have to buy the book.

Twebur
Legend
1 month ago

Ippei Mizuhara was sentenced to 57 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution of $18 million. That figure includes restitution to Shohei Ohtani of $16,975,010 and to the IRS of $1,149,400

Twebur
Legend
1 month ago
Reply to  Twebur

Free Ippei!

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
Reply to  Twebur

Hang on tightly to the soap….

comment image&ct=g

Fansince1971
Legend
1 month ago
Reply to  Twebur

I’m sure he will be able to pay back that money 🤣

Angelz4ever
Super Member
1 month ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

You can bet on it.

Angelz4ever
Super Member
1 month ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

Can we bet on that at Prize Picks?

SD19
Trusted Member
1 month ago
Reply to  Twebur

Oof. 57 months in prison and a life long sentence to the IRS. They are the worst to owe money to outside of the break your knee caps types which I’m sure he knows a couple.

Ohtani has probably long considered the $16 mil a sunk cost and moved on but the IRS will bleed every penny til the day he dies.

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
Reply to  SD19

Ippei will write a “how to” book on gambling that will pay off all his debts…..

Angelz4ever
Super Member
1 month ago

LOL, yeah, would have to be a New York Times best seller for sure. Maybe Ippei could write: The Shoshank Redemption.

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
1 month ago
Reply to  Angelz4ever

 😂 

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Angelz4ever

GOLD!

Angelz4ever
Super Member
1 month ago
Reply to  Twebur

Hey Shohei, the check is in the mail!

Mia
Legend
Mia
1 month ago
Reply to  Twebur

Wow so not only did Ohtani pin all his gambling issues on Ippei, now he’s forcing federal courts to imprison him for almost 5 years AND give him 17 million dollars.

What a scumbag.

Angelz4ever
Super Member
1 month ago
Reply to  Mia

LOL, you Ohtani conspiracists (Big word usage) make me laugh.

If, by chance it was Ohtani, I don’t think he suddenly stopped. That much money being gambled was by an addict, not just a casual Lotto scratcher type gambler.

Now, if he requests a trade to or opts out to play for the Las Vegas A’s, then holla.

Mia
Legend
Mia
1 month ago
Reply to  Angelz4ever

I suppose I should have added the /s

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
Reply to  Mia

I bet (no pun intended) Ohtani is mean to his dog too

Mia
Legend
Mia
1 month ago

I heard he’s a left lane camper.

max
Trusted Member
max
1 month ago
Reply to  Mia

He’s always got more than 15 items in the express checkout lane

Angelz4ever
Super Member
1 month ago
Reply to  max

That’s deep

Fansince1971
Legend
1 month ago

Just called the Angels ticket office to get an answer about unused Angels Ticket Bank funds. I was told that the purchaser is expected to use all funds deposited into the bank in the season of the deposit. So all funds must be used for tickets in 2025 if you deposit in 2025 or you lose any amounts leftover. The rep said exceptions could be requested under certain circumstances (such as illness etc) but there is no guarantee the leftover monies will be available in the next season. Part of this is related to the fact they don’t know how many season tickets they will sell season to season.

So there is your answer- if you deposit $2500 in 2025, you have to use all the money in 2025 or lose it unless an exception is asked for and made.

Buyer beware.

Twebur
Legend
1 month ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

Can you buy playoff tickets with the leftover amount? 😀

TrojanBoiler
Trusted Member
1 month ago
Reply to  Twebur

What is playoffs?

red floyd
Legend
1 month ago
Reply to  Twebur

comment image

TrojanBoiler
Trusted Member
1 month ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

Class action lawsuit incoming in 2026. Arte loves collecting lawsuits.

Roy Hobbs
Super Member
1 month ago

Pete Alonso and Jorge Soler had identical OPS+s last year so we’re getting ours for 13M instead of 30M. Taylor Ward is not too far behind and he’s costing us 10M. That’s money well spent unlike some of our other contracts.

tanana40
Super Member
1 month ago
Reply to  Roy Hobbs

Some of the best moves that you make are the ones that you don’t make. The Angels did not get bogged down in a multi-year contract with a 30 year old player, etc.

Angelz4ever
Super Member
1 month ago

I wouldn’t have minded that Alonzo contract to play for the Halos, but I am sure Arte would have been taken to the cleaners for a much longer and larger contract.

Last edited 1 month ago by Angelz4ever
halofansince1978
Super Member
1 month ago

This article (Bollinger) says Angel pitchers and catchers report Tuesday the 11th.

I’ve now read Tues, Wed, Thurs, and Friday…earlier today post revised to 5 days.

It can’t come soon enough for most all of us here…no matter how bad they are!

https://www.mlb.com/news/angels-spring-training-2025-faq

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

I heard a guy talking yesterday. He said almost all the players, other than guys who are rich and doing specific prep with specific trainers (or are contract hold outs), show up at camp early…. usually Feb 1st.

Why? It’s when their lease starts. They do it to settle in etc. Funny things, a lot of them do it so they can get allergy adjustments out of the way, get sick from travel, etc and be ready to go Feb12th. They get to know new players, go to dinner with friends n coaches, work out in the sun etc. Try out new equipment. A lot reconnect with friends in Florida/AZ before they have to focus on work. But the majority of players are already at the facility from what I here… just not suiting up or being there for hours a day.

Angelz4ever
Super Member
1 month ago

In the years I was not catching, when not required to report early, I drove cross country and reported early because there is some fabulous fishing in Florida and to acclimate to the weather.

Not two weeks early though, just with pitchers & catchers, though a few days earlier in the area to stay with family, to purchase an out-of-state fishing license and chillax.

Last edited 1 month ago by Angelz4ever
gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Angelz4ever

Yep. That’s what I’ve been told. I get out of jail around Jan 28th and then ride cross country on the back of some dude’s Harley with all my stuff in a garbage bag. We hit a lot of dive bars in places like Monroe, LA. I get zig zags shaved into the back of my head. Then I eventually arrive and lead the Indians to greatness.

Angelz4ever
Super Member
1 month ago

That was always an option.

That interstate 10 is kinda long.

Last edited 1 month ago by Angelz4ever
Jeff Joiner
Editor
Legend
1 month ago

Most guys are already out there with many already working out. The Fletcher brothers share a family friend’s house and move out there a couple of weeks early. Tons of players with families do the same.

There’s also a pretty sizable contingent of players who have homes in AZ.

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
1 month ago

Polar Bear likes New York.

Angelz4ever
Super Member
1 month ago

LOL, tail between legs as he waddles back to Queens.

RexFregosi
Super Member
1 month ago

when I saw PECOTA predict, besides the division winner this year, two Wild Card teams also coming from the AL West, the writing was on the wall – it wasn’t going to be a good year for us, but hey fourth place! Better luck next year.

so we just wait and hope for PECOTA 2026.

Angelz4ever
Super Member
1 month ago
Reply to  RexFregosi

I’d settle for a 2025 with a strong third place finish with the “Kids” progressing and Moore transitioning into a MLB player. For 2026 we can look at signing a 3B/1B power guy as that will be when Rendone’s contract will be in it’s final year.

Roy Hobbs
Super Member
1 month ago

Not sure I ever heard anyone say Ward was a bad player. He’s a good player, just not a really good player. He’s a valuable piece for what he costs. There are not a lot of good LFs right now. The problem with Ward is he is so streaky and his streaks are long. He’s hits the daylights out of the ball for a month and a half and then doesn’t hit at all for a month and a half. His highs are really high and his lows are really low.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Roy Hobbs

It’s not that anyone comes out and says he’s bad. It’s just that lots of people complain about him. You kinow, the way you would about something that is not good. Which is the opposite of good…. which is bad.

This is a safe space. It’s OK to admit CtPG Guy is very certain and often wrong but always repeating himself. Ward is very much above average. Especially when you don’t include DHs like Yordan Alvarez in the list of LF.

Have a look at this Fangraphs article. It’s interesting because it shows how important DEPTH is. Ward has a pretty high individual value compared to a lot of LF. BUT the Angel’s positional power rankings are not that high because of the steep drop off if Ward doesn’t play. Which is why the Moniak/Adell gamble is important.

Mikeal1st
Trusted Member
1 month ago

You are correct, you’ve said it so many times,

CtPG Guy is very certain and often wrong but always repeating himself.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Mikeal1st

If it makes your ass hurt every time CtPG Guy takes the mocking stick maybe you are CtPG Guy?

Mikeal1st
Trusted Member
1 month ago

I’m not sure what that means exactly, but I’ll say yes, I enjoy CtPG, visit on almost all days, try to be polite while disagreeing and to have a decent take.

Roy Hobbs
Super Member
1 month ago

It’s also pretty much the story for every other position, especially in the OF. Although we have Soler now who even thought he isn’t very good defensively would definitely provide a good replacement bat assuming we could find someone to DH.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Roy Hobbs

I think Soler will DH a lot…. and if Moniak is OK Trout will DH more than he has, though he really sucks at DH as of now….

If Moniak is good then we likely see Ward traded soonish and then maybe we see Soler thump around in LF some, or if Kavadas just plain demands DH at bats with his girthy swings. But that’s a lot of good that has to happen….

Meh. It’s all just very imperfect attempts to develop the team by not clogging up the roster with contracts BUT add more power than we had last year….

It is a fact though that if we have O’Hoppe, Trout, Soler, Adell, Ward, Kavedas and Neto magically all able to hit then we have many many more home runs than last year. But it would be like when the Phillies would play Schwarber and Castellanos at the same time.

TrojanBoiler
Trusted Member
1 month ago

or if Kavadas just plain demands DH at bats with his girthy swings

I about spit out my lunch when I read this lol

Roy Hobbs
Super Member
1 month ago

Maybe this will mean he will have good trade value. He’s a relative bargain bat this year and next. He would have been a much better value than Santander albeit not quite as good.

Jeff Joiner
Editor
Legend
1 month ago
Reply to  Roy Hobbs

I personally like Ward and realize at the end of the year he’ll have his 2 mabye 2.5 WAR but you are right about the streaks. He seems to get off to a hot start then nosedive over the summer before finishing hot again.

He’s a bit of a bargain compared but not hugely. I still expect him to get moved at some point.

HalosFanForLife
Super Member
1 month ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

162 in 180 is brutal. These guys that do that for 20 years are amazing. Think of how incredible the Ripkin streak really is considering he did it at SS.

Jeff Joiner
Editor
Legend
1 month ago

the enormity of Ripken’s streak didn’t hit me until years after he retired. I grew up in Kern County where men went to work in fields and oil patches day after day. Blue collar toughness is simply expected.

But to do so for two decades straight at the highest level of the game is beyond remarkable.

Angels2020Champs
Legend
1 month ago
Reply to  Charles Sutton

Yeah but if you complain (like on every single post) about complaining doesn’t that make you some sort of keyboard hero and net a positive?!? Asking for a ‘friend’ gritcho.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

Nope. It makes you bored as fk at work…. and sick of semi-geriatric piss.

But some of it is serious. I play it up ALOT, but I do actually think the sad bitch mentality of “true Angels fans” has some effect on what happens with the team… the culture or personality of the fans. Which then has some slight influence on the team. If the fans are looking to stay positive about adapting and overcoming problems then so will a lot of the players.

If the fans shit on everything all the time, then there’s already plenty of shit, so why should the players give any? No player enjoys sucking or being hurt. It’s safe to assume they and the FO are working at being good. What is constantly shitting on their efforts supposed to accomplish? If a player or manager or GM really sucks, and an org can replace them, they do. It’ll happen without our constant “help”. They may be getting paid to make millions, but they can do that anywhere.

I wish our team was like the Cardinals traditionally are. They suck now, and their fans know it, but they have a “let’s get to work with what we have” attitude. It’s why they will be good again soon and it’s why players want to play there and win.

And St Louis sucks as a city.

Angels2020Champs
Legend
Fansince1971
Legend
1 month ago

Before any of you go putting your hard earned cash into the Angel Ticket Bank be aware (per the internet):

“According to the Los Angeles Angels’ ticket terms and conditions, any unused funds in an Angel ticket bank account are not eligible for a refund.”

So if you deposit the minimum required $2,500 you must spend that full amount on tickets or you lose it.

Last edited 1 month ago by Fansince1971
steelgolf
Legend
1 month ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

Does it roll over to the next season? It must, otherwise I think that they would open themselves up to a lawsuit.

Fansince1971
Legend
1 month ago
Reply to  steelgolf

I don’t know the answer to that question but I certainly would ask before I would ever even consider this. From what I have seen, I think they are viewing this as a form of season tickets (likely to boost their revenue side of the balance sheet), which would mean that the investment is good only for that season. But that is something that should really be checked.

If you think about it from the Angels perspective, if it carried over, somebody could do this and use that money over 10 seasons for example. I’m not sure this is what they are going for. I think they want access to the money right away.

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
Reply to  steelgolf

…it rolls over to Arte’s bank account in the Cayman Islands

Angelz4ever
Super Member
1 month ago

So, I don’t get to root for the Anaheim Angels of Long Beach for a few more years?

Last edited 1 month ago by Angelz4ever
Mia
Legend
Mia
1 month ago
Reply to  Angelz4ever

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in Long Beach.

Gotta cover all the marketing bases.

Angelz4ever
Super Member
1 month ago
Reply to  Mia

I stand corrected

Angelz4ever
Super Member
1 month ago
Reply to  Mia

That’s kinda hard to fit in while singing in the 7th inning stretch….

Mikeal1st
Trusted Member
1 month ago
Reply to  Angelz4ever

That was funny.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Mia

Of San Antonio

Twebur
Legend
1 month ago

Los Angeles Angels of Mars.

Arte has been saving his money to go next level with his relocation plans.

https://x.com/MAstronomers/status/1883224454748336243

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Twebur

That’s funny. Arte will be very dead when we send mens to marz.

PedroCerrano
Super Member
1 month ago
Reply to  Angelz4ever

I’m having to dig really deep for positives. Perhaps a lease extension indicates that Arte has the idea to sell in the near future? No new stadium was feasible to be completed prior to the previous lease expiration and that deadline would have been an obstacle to a sell.

I still think having a new stadium to look forward to would have been a nice distraction from an otherwise less than promising on the field product for at least the next several years.

Angelz4ever
Super Member
1 month ago
Reply to  PedroCerrano

Yeah Pedro, let’s hope the extension bodes well in one way or another.

Mikeal1st
Trusted Member
1 month ago
Reply to  Angelz4ever

I think LB would be a great place for a ballpark, especially on the water, but a longer drive for me, so I’m not sure if I’d attend as much.

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
1 month ago
Reply to  Mikeal1st

cold foggy nights in May and June sound appealing though.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Mikeal1st

Arte’s gonna need to find a town that wants to take it in the face. Like Inglewood. It’s the only way something like a stadium gets built in California. So any new locations gonna have a bit of ugliness to it. It’s not gonna be in an area with stuff we already go to and super easy access, etc.

Long Beach is a pain to get to, but at least it’s “an area” and even has an identity with some good reasons to head out there for a day. Unlike, say, Rialto. Done right Long Beach could be a lot better than Inglewood as far as becoming like Wrigleyville. Does anyone hang out in Duh Wood after a Rams game?

But I think the Los Angeles Angels of Downey is a lot more likely, and even that may be impossible politically, in which case get ready for the Los Angeles Angels of Orlando or some crap.

Jeff Joiner
Editor
Legend
1 month ago

I still say building a ballpark in the parking lot of the Big A and blowing up the Big A is the best solution.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

Yeah, but Anaheim has to let it happen…. Disney has needs too you know.

halofansince1978
Super Member
1 month ago

I gotta root for Benji’s team…not Albert!!

https://www.mlb.com/news/2025-caribbean-series-day-6

Pineapple12
Super Member
1 month ago

Now with the Polar Bear staying in NY, we should feel pretty dang confident that we keep our 2nd round pick and entire international bonus pool. I would be absolutely floored if we signed Bregman or Pivetta.

This season is going to be awesome. The soft rebuild stays on train tracks and we get to watch our young pups continue to develop. Of course, it would be more fun to win and win big, but we aren’t at that point yet.

Successful offseason ✅️

Fansince1971
Legend
1 month ago
Reply to  Pineapple12

I don’t think Arte is spending anymore except maybe minor additions. Seriously doubt he signs Bregman as that would be like $60m committed to 3B factoring in Rendone.

I generally agree with your comment on the rebuild.

Kevin
Member
1 month ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

What happened to those additional relievers that supposedly were being brought in? Sadly, I agree that I think Arte has given up on this year already. I’m shocked they didn’t bring Garcia back or someone like that for low money though.

Pineapple12
Super Member
1 month ago
Reply to  Kevin

With the main objective of this season being player development, I hope we see guys like Kelvin Caceres, Michael Darrell-Hicks, Victor Mederos, Camden Minacci, Luke Murphy get significant opportunities at the MLB level.

Investing money in relievers is a flawed strategy. Unless of course it’s to flip them at the deadline, which is smart (i.e. Charlie Sheen + Luis Garcia trades). I’m sure Perry will do his usual thing and grab a couple relievers before/during ST.

Last edited 1 month ago by Pineapple12
gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Pineapple12

Amen

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
Reply to  Kevin

I’m unsure how he can “give up” on what never was. All the signs have been there: highly paid players who are not aging well (Trout, Rendon, Anderson), young pitchers who take two steps back for every step forward (Detmers), and the general lack of power at the positions that traditionally generate power (OF, 3rd, 1st). Lastly, there’s no immediate salvation on the farm. There’s potential, but it’s several years away.

The bright spots are Neto, O’Hoppe, Soriano and Joyce.

Baseball is a team sport, and the Angels have some talent – but they are not talented.

The 2025 Angels should be better than the 2024 Angels primarily because it’s hard (but not impossible assert the Rockies) to get any worse than 99 losses.

For the Angels a 90-loss season is a step forward. Arte can do that without spending any more money. Embrace the “we don’t say rebuilding around here” rebuilding.

comment image

Roy Hobbs
Super Member
1 month ago

Excellent summary. It will be hard to be worse than 99 loses but It’s hard to see 90 loses as an improvement. A lot of the interesting things to watch will not be at the major league level. We have to hit it big with the second pick and nail this draft. Hopefully we’ll see some optimistic growth from our minor leaguers and get some decent prospects back from trading veterans. If they do well, any of the guys we picked up in the off-season are potential trade candidates in addition to Anderson, Rengifo, and Ward.

Twebur
Legend
1 month ago

Embrace the “we don’t say rebuilding around here” rebuilding. 😂

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

Secret Rebuild! In the shadows…. the team sucks…. and get’s young…. a precocious tiger…. ready to pounce.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Kevin

It’s Feb 6th and there are still unsigned bullpen arms. I don’t want a 10M pen piece, I want a semi-OK veteran… basically Garcia 2.0. We can totally get that.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Pineapple12

I am excited because I listen to A TON of baseball podcasts with scouts, FO guys and ex-players on em. They are doing a lot of “who is your secret low key positive etc etc” segments now days.

You know who gets a mention a lot? Logan O’Hoppe. A lot. Zach Neto comes up too. Ben Joyce. And Adell has even gotten some love. I’ve even heard a couple guys say our young pitching is intriguing. We almost have almost gotten a core going almost.

Pineapple12
Super Member
1 month ago

“We almost have almost gotten a core going almost”

WRONG. WORSTIEST FAHM IN DA LEEG. NO FUTAH WIT SHEETIE ANGELZ

Did I do this correctly lol?

Roy Hobbs
Super Member
1 month ago
Reply to  Pineapple12

We need 2-3 more position players like O’Hoppe and Neto, then we could say we have solid young core.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Roy Hobbs

Yep. If say Moore and Lugo turn out to be useful…. we upgrade to ALMOST having a core. Or if like three pitchers work out like Soriano did last year. We become Mariners/Giants good.

Roy Hobbs
Super Member
1 month ago

That’s true.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Pineapple12

Perfect.

Brent
Super Member
1 month ago

The Angels having both the longest playoff drought at 10 seasons and also the worst ranked farm system in the is so depressing.

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
Reply to  Brent

Hey – but you have to admit the Angels do excel at some things….

comment image

halofansince1978
Super Member
1 month ago

6 Days!!

Born_in_59
Trusted Member
1 month ago

Hope, or is that Hopeium, springs eternal.

red floyd
Legend
1 month ago

Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work, but the seventh day is the ST opener.

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